All Blog Posts (276)

Donating flowers is a great way to honor a loved one or celebrate a momentous occasion while simultaneously adding beauty and color to our church services. When the service is finished, take the flowers home with you to enjoy. You may also include a special message about the person you're honoring or event you're celebrating which will be printed in the order of service and read during the sharing of joys and concerns.

Donating flowers is a great way to honor a loved one or celebrate a momentous occasion while simultaneously adding beauty and color to our church services. When the service is finished, take the flowers home with you to enjoy. You may also include a special message about the person you're honoring or event you're celebrating which will be printed in the order of service and read during the sharing of joys and concerns.

This Sunday: Water Communion. Everyone is invited to collect a small sampling of water from a place that is special to you and bring it with you on Sunday September 13th. This can be from your summer travels or from your own back yard; from an ocean shore or a rain puddle. There will be a time to collect a small amount of water from each participant. (And if you forget, not to worry - we will have some available so all can participate.)

The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, is seeking part-time Lead Teachers for our Sunday School for the fall and spring semesters 2015-2016.

Our Religious Education Program: Our programming for children and families is designed to promote and affirm the principles and sources of Unitarian Universalism. The Sunday School runs concurrent with worship services from…

Hello First U Family! I'm back from Portland and I wanted to share with you my experience at GA. Many of you have expressed interest in attending GA in the future so I wanted to offer a summary of what you can expect, as well as share with you highlights from this year's assembly. Without further ado, here is my list of 10 Things You'll See at GA...

10. Inclusivity

As a person who is a member of three oppressed populations, I take matters of…

We will honor this important day in American history as part of this Sunday's Service. Our celebration is deepened by the violence that one man brought to a whole community, perhaps even the whole nation, in the killing of nine people at a meeting (a prayer meeting) at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in…

When I first came to Philadelphia, the First Unitarian Church on Chestnut Street was impossible to miss. With its rainbow flags gently moving in the April breeze, it was forever etched in my memory as a place that I would need to visit when I officially moved to the city. Sure enough, less than four months later, I attended both my first young adult evening worship and a summer choir retreat, and knew that this place was indeed the home my spirit so desperately needed. Here I could lay down…

Several people spoke to me after the Service this past Sunday about the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Unitarian Universalists” I shared with you. They came from a workshop given by Gini Courter (former Unitarian Universalist Association Moderator) that I took part in a few years ago. I am so glad that struck a chord with you all! Here they are.

live with integrity. To do this you have to know yourself, be clear on your values. Words…

Thank you all who attended and helped with the events on Sunday, April 12th at First U. The service led by Rev Susan on Redemption, the banner from the lifers at Graterford, and the panelists on LWOP, pictured in the photo in front of the banner, created the opportunity to consider and reflect upon redemption and second chances.

James Hough, a lifer at Graterford sent a letter describing the creation of the banner. His words were read by Rev Susan as part of the sermon:Every…

Now that the outside world is finally (finally!) thawing, we’re feeling inspired by fresh air and new growth. As we plan for new leaders being elected at the Annual Meeting on May 17, we’re asking our entire congregation to roll up their sleeves and find a way to dig in.

At this month’s Board meeting on March 25, we took inspiration from a quote from Dan Hotchkiss, whose work on church governance is one of our…

We have had 4 Sundays in February and March without any flower donations. I would really like to try and fill all April and May slots as it just wouldn't be spring without flowers!

Donating flowers is a great way to honor a loved one or celebrate a momentous occasion while simultaneously adding the beauty and color of flowers to our church services. When the service is finished, take the flowers home with you to enjoy. You may also include a special message about the person…

We hope many Members and friends of 1st UU will be able to come early and spend time enjoying one another's company as we engage this important work. Please try to arrive by 9:45 AM - coffee will be available; our "workshop"/conversation begins promptly at 10:00 AM (it will be a lead-in to our 11 o'clock Worship Service).

These "conversations in community" are an essential part of creating a clear, vibrant and true picture of who and what First Unitarian…

Did you get to see the movie "Selma"? It is worth watching - a fine film. Although it is certainly not a documentary, it seems to me more an impression of those fateful days in the Civil Rights Movement - still an important story that is rarely told in this way.

So to add to that, here is a moving, insightful short documentary (A Call from…

Spring is always a busy season at our church, and we need YOUR input as we move through this exciting time.

The Nominating Committee has begun the important work of identifying a slate of individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee for the 2015–2016 church year. If you're interested in learning more about these opportunities or would like to suggest prospective candidates, please speak with a member of the…